Compacting grip for handheld devices

Abstract

An apparatus for gripping a handheld device is provided. The apparatus includes a base for affixing the apparatus to a first surface of the handheld device; at least one extension extending from the base at a first end of the extension; and a grip extending from the at least one extension at a second end of the extension, wherein the grip is oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the handheld device, wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a portion, of at least one finger inserted between the grip and the handheld device, wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a portion of each of two fingers inserted between the grip and the handheld device at opposite sides of the at least one extension, and wherein the grip is movable into at least one angled position where one end of the grip is pointed towards the base while an opposite end of the grip is pointed away from the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A one hand gripping apparatus attached to the back of a handheld device or its case consisting essentially of,
 a one hand gripping apparatus attached to the back of a handheld device, 
 a base is fastened or built into, the back of the hand-held device or its case, an extension is attached to the base by a hinge, 
 the hinge is attached to the base, 
 attached or built in on the opposite end of the extension from the hinge is a grip that extends wider than the extension on at least two opposite sides, the grip extends wider in the direction of the outside sides of the received fingers, the received fingers are two adjacent non-thumb fingers of a gripping hand inserted between handheld device and the grip, each received finger straddling the outside of the extension, 
 the hand-gripping apparatus consisting essentially of one or more of the following features; 
 the hinge has a friction force on the swinging extension, 
 the hinge has a ratcheting hinge on the swinging extension, 
 the hinge swivels or rotates on the base, 
 the hinge has a spring force for pushing and/or pulling the extension, 
 a locking mechanism to stay in an expanded and/or collapsed position, 
 the grip is attached by a second hinge 
 the apparatus in the collapsed position lies flat to the handheld device. 
 
     
     
       2. A method using a collapsing and expanding one hand gripping apparatus and fastening the handgrip apparatus to the handheld device or handheld device's case, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a collapsing and expanding one hand gripping apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , 
 fastening or building the hand gripping apparatus into the back of a handheld device or back of the hand-held device case, in the expanded position swinging away from the hand held device, 
 receiving two adjacent non-thumb fingers of a gripping hand inserted between handheld device and the other end of the apparatus, each received finger straddling the sides of the apparatus, finger print side of fingers facing hand held device and in contact with the apparatus and/or back of handheld device or case of handheld device, 
 gripping hand's thumb and portion of palm wrapping around to the front of the handheld device, 
 a step in the apparatus collapsing is removing the fingers of the gripping hand from the apparatus and the apparatus lying flat to the handheld device.